51From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not o have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the Journal of the Federal Convention which attended it—The Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the Venerable Characters who composed it—much anxiety, debate, and difficulty—But a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands resulted in the—“preclarum singulare quiet”—which we...
52From John Adams to James Monroe, 8 March 1820 (Adams Papers)
I ought not to have delaid an acknowledgement of your favour of February 20th. and the Volume of the journal of the Federal Constitution Convention which attended it—the Volume shows that our present inestimable Constitution cost the venerable Characters—who composed it—much anxiety and debate and but a Candid and liberal disposition on all hands, resulted in the “preclarum singulare...
53From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 March 1820 (Madison Papers)
Whilst I was in the Government at Washington, Henry Sidney Coxe, a son of Mr. Tench Coxe, was appointed a Midshipman. On the return of peace, ill health, brought on by the severities of the service, and the advice of his father prevailed on him to retire. His father states that his health is now re-established, and that his attachment to the navy having never ceased, it is the wish of both,...
54Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 May 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d is recieved and always with welcome. these texts of truth relieve me from the floating falsehoods of the public papers. I confess to you I am not sorry for the non-ratification of the Spanish treaty. our assent to it has proved our desire to be on friendly terms with Spain ; their dissent, the imbecility and malignity of their government towards us. that we have placed...
55Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 27 June 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of the unintelligible sketch I gave you the other day, I send it drawn more at large. mrs Monroe & yourself may take some hints from it for a better plan of your own . this supposes 10.f. in front, and 8.f in flank added to your sills. a flat of 12.f. square is formed at the top, to make your present rafters answer, & to lighten the appearance of the roof. Affectionate and respectful...
56Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 20 August [1820] (Jefferson Papers)
The gardener who is the subject of your letter is perfectly free to any engagement. being about to quit his present position, he was anxious to fix himself somewhere near enough to supply Charlottesville & the University with vegetables, fixed his eye on that spot of meadow between you & me, and applied for it to me. I had neither wish nor interest that he so should settle there, & merely...
57From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 August 1820 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Governeur gave us to understand that we should have the pleasure of seeing you & Mrs. Monroe about the first or second week in Sepr. Be so good as to drop a line saying as nearly as you can the precise time. Mrs. M. & myself have a little visit to make in the neighbourhood, which can be executed with equal conveniency a little sooner or later, and which we shall hasten or delay, so as to...
58From James Madison to James Monroe, 8 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have just recd. a letter from Chs. D. Coxe, appealing to my recollection on certain points, and requesting a line from me to yourself. To let you see what has passed, I inclose his letter to me, and a copy of my answer. The former you will be so good as to return. I presume the views of the case to be gathered from authentic sources will readily decide the question of his actual official...
59From James Madison to James Monroe, 19 November 1820 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday’s mail brought me your favor of the 16th. with a Copy of your message: the only one reaching me; no newspaper containing it having come to hand. The view you have taken of our affairs can not but be well received at home, and increase our importance abroad. The State of our finances is the more gratifying as it so far exceeds the public hopes. I infer from the language of your letter...
60From James Madison to James Monroe, 28 December 1820 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your two favors of the 18 & 23 inst. The prospect of a favorable issue to the difficulties with Spain, is very agreeable. I hope the ratification will arrive witht clogs on it; and that the acquisition of Florida may give no new stimulus to the spirit excited by the case of Missouri. I am glad to learn that a termination of this case also is not despaired of. If the new State is...
61From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 January 1821 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Hackley called on me a few days ago on his way to Washington. I found him very intelligent and of agreeable manners. He observed a commendable delicacy in the part of his conversation, which touched his personal hopes from the Government; but it was not concealed that he aspired to some provision under its patronage. He will doubtless be, if he has not already been, more explicit &...
62From James Madison to James Monroe, 15 March 1821 (Madison Papers)
I congratulate you most heartily on the happy close to the first period of your public trust, and on the very conspicuous result which introduces you to the second. One of your successful measures is of course bringing on you the irksome task of making selections from a crowd of candidates. On this list is I find Mr. A. Scott, who has again appealed to the motives which on other occasions drew...
63From James Madison to James Monroe, 7 April 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 31. ult. The retrospective claim for Newspapers has been made on me, in one instance only, since I was out of office. A printer in Vermont sent me a charge for a weekly paper during my term of 8 years, several years after I was out of office. I answered that I had never subscribed for the paper, and had always supposed it to have been forwarded without pecuniary...
64Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 8 April 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Our University asks a kind attention from you. you doubtless know that our legislature constituted the debt due to them from the US. into a Literary fund , for the purposes of education, & that on this fund the University is established, and dependant. at their late session they authorised the Literary board to advance to the University 60,000.D. of the monies still to be recieved from the...
65From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 May 1821 (Madison Papers)
I observe that Genl. A. Moore has resigned the office of Marshall for Virga. I know not who may be candidates for the vacancy. I beg leave to name for your consideration Mr. Robert Taylor of this County, formerly a Speaker of our Senate, & of a character well established for intelligence, proberty [ sic ], and habits of punctuality in business. I am particularly induced to bring him into view...
66From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 May 1821 (Madison Papers)
I am just informed by Mr. F. Corbin, that E. Randolph, who held a Commission in the late Army, is desirous of the Collectorship at Pensacola, at which place he had established himself, in anticipation of its becoming a port of the U.S. As his military appointment originated in my nomination, and it was so well justified by his distinguished gallantry on several important occasions, it seems to...
67From John Adams to James Monroe, 6 June 1821 (Adams Papers)
Of the multitude of applications to me for Letters of Introduction and recommendation to the President and Heads of departments, in favour of candidates for Office, I have for a long time Sternly, and Sometimes almost cinically refused them all. But the enclosed letter from Dr Waterhouse has so tenderly affected me that I cannot resist my feelings and Inclination to transmit it to you. I...
68From John Adams to James Monroe, 31 July 1821 (Adams Papers)
Had I not been poisoned by the mephytic iffluvia of blossoms and roses to such a degree as to deprive me of the right of letters and the feeling of a pen: I should have long since acknowledged the honour of your obliging letter of the 13th of the month. it is perfectly satisfactory to me and it ought to be so and I presume will be so to Dr Waterhouse. I am happy to hear that your health is...
69Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 13 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
You have seen announced in several of our papers an intention of the Polonese nation to erect a monument near Cracow to the memory of Gen l Koscuzko , and their wish that England and the US. by joining in contributions, might give a proof of the interest they take in his character; that for this purpose, they had addressed a letter to L d Holland in Engl d
70Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 27 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your letter at dusk, when no candle was lighted, & not suspecting your so sudden departure told the servant not to wait for an answer, & that I would send it. I hope I shall be able to send the papers in the morning before you will have departed. The letter of Lewis shews that Barron is a most unprincipled man, and the sentence of the court shews him unworthy of any military trust....
71From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 February 1822 (Madison Papers)
A letter from Mrs. Dallas has just come under my eye, by which I find she is subsisting on very scanty resources, and is under impressions that two of her sons particularly, are not as well off as the public services of their father, and their own personal worth had promised. The elder one belonging to the Navy has, it seems, been a considerabl⟨e⟩ time without a ship. The other, George, tho’...
72Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, [23 February 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
D r Wallis of Fauquier with whom I think you are acquainted seems desirous as his years advan c e to associate with his medical pursuits or perhaps substitute for them some employment which might relieve or lessen their labors. in what character of business his choice or opportunity might lead him to engage I do not know; but his talents & informn admit qualify him for a large range and his...
73Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 6 March 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know by what individuals the association was formed which is the subject of the inclosed letter to mr Morse . I suppose them to have been few and private, and that the undertaking must have been on too partial a view of the subject. I observe your name not on the roll, and for a reason too light to have been the true one: and I suspect therefore it has been refused for good reasons....
74Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 19 March 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 14. has been duly recieved. in that you ask if my letter to mr Morse may be communicated to the gentlemen of the administration and other friends. in the first place the former are entitled to it’s communication from mr Morse as named members of his society . but independantly of that, a letter addressed to a society of 6. or 8000 people is de facto made public. I had...
75From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
This will probably arrive at the Moment for congratulating you on the close of the scene in which your labours are blended with those of Congress. When will your recess from those which succeed, commence; and when & how much of it will be passed in Albemarle? We hope for the pleasure of halts with us, and that Mrs. M. and the others of your family will be with you. Mr. Anduaga I observe casts...
76From James Madison to James Monroe, 18 May 1822 (Madison Papers)
I am just favored with yours of the 12th. in which you ask whether I recollect “any case of a nomination of an officer of the Army to a particular office to take rank from a certain date” in which the Senate have interposed to give rank from another date, and again whether I recollect “any instances of filling original vacances in civil or military offices in the recess of the Senate when an...
77Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 September 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made it a rule, and have pretty steadfa stly ob served it, not to permit myself to be used as an instrument to trouble and embarras the government with sollicitations for office. now & then however a case occurs which from pecu lia r circumstances, cannot be declined. still I wish it always to be understood that I ask no departure from what justice, or the necessary rules of government...
78From James Madison to James Monroe, 24 September 1822 (Madison Papers)
The mail of saturday brought me your favour of the 16th. The letters inclosed in it are returned. Accept my thanks for the odd vol: Congl. Journals. As I understand the case presented in the other paper inclosed, it turns on the simple question, whether the Senate have a right, in their advice & consent, to vary the date at which, according to the nomination of the President an appointment to...
79From James Madison to [James Monroe?], 3 November 1822 (Madison Papers)
My neighbour & your Acquaintance Mr Richard Taliaferro is desirous that one of his sons should receive a military education at West Point. His progress in the preparatory studies is certified by his present Tutor, and I have myself had a slight opportunity of witnessing that he has some knowledge of Latin. Of his general character I know nothing which is not favorable. If there be no bar to...
80From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 1 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you, Dear Sir, for the opportunity of reading mr Taylor’s letter, which I now return. news that one can rely on from a country with which we have so little intercourse, and so much mutual interest is doubly grateful. I rejoice to learn that Iturbide’s is a mere usurpation and slenderly supported. altho we have no right to intermeddle with the form of government of other nations yet it...
81From James Madison to James Monroe, 20 December 1822 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. from Mr. Lear engaged in settling the accounts of General Hull, a request of what I may recollect on the question, whether there was a stipulation or understanding, that the General was to receive his salary as Governour, as well as his military pay. I have simply answered that my memory does not furnish any evidence which ought to influence the decision of the question. As the...
82From James Madison to James Monroe, 27 January 1823 (Madison Papers)
The Speaker of the H. of R. the particular friend of my nephew Edgar Macon has intimated to him that a Clerk will soon be wanted for a Board for executing the late award of the Emp: of Russia, and has advised him to be a candidate. Of his qualifications for such a service Col: Barbour can speak with much more knowlege than I can, having been the patron of his professional studies, and...
83From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
Having just recd. a letter stating the circumstances in the extract enclosed, I have thought it not amiss, that they should be known to you. You will be able, or can be enabled to judge how far they merit attention. Some of them, if there be no error in the statement, seem to require & admit of correction. You will observe that the information is from a source professing & I believe truly to...
84From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 February 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have rcd. your favor of the 3d. I am much obliged by the kind manner in which you speak of my Nephew. I hope you will always consider expressions of my good will in such cases as perfectly subordinate to public considerations, and superi[o]r pretensions. In the present case I am not sure that the appt. of my nephew to the place in question ought to be desired even by himself, unless Col:...
85From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed answers your favor of the 29 th Ult. on the value of your lands. I had had great hopes that while in your present office you would break up the degrading practice of considering the President’s house as a general tavern, and economise sufficiently to come out of it clear of difficulties. I learn the contrary with great regret. your society during the little time I have left would...
86From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 February 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 29. did not get to hand till a few days past, and as I could not answer it without some information and the weather severe, I had to wait till it became a little milder, so that I could ride to the Highlands to make my enquiries. I recieved the information I asked from mr Landrum yesterday. I learn that within your lines are about 2000 acres of Carter’s antient patent,...
87From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 29 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
In answering a letter from mr Short I indulged myself in some off-hand speculations on the present lowering state of Europe, random enough to be sure; yet, on revising them, I thought I would hazard a copy to you, on the bare possibility that, out of them, you might, as we sometimes do from dreams, pick up some hint worth improving by your own reflection. at any rate the whole reverie will...
88From James Madison to James Monroe, 16 April 1823 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. did not come to hand till the evening before the last. From a communication just had with my nephew, I find that he is anxious not to lose the chance of the Secretariship to the Board under the Treaty, and seems to be encouraged in his hopes by his friend Col: Barbour. It will be agreeable to him therefore, if not objectionable, that his appt. to the other place you...
89From James Madison to James Monroe, 9 June 1823 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Morris who was employed for several years on a confidential Mission to Spain, observes to me that in executing the trust, he incurred expences, particularly in being transferred from Cadiz to Madrid, and during his residence at the latter place, which in the then circumstances of Spain were great beyond foresight, and moreover in providing a Clerk for whose services he had occasion: and he...
90From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 11 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering that I had not been to Bedford for a twelve month before, I thought myself singularly unfortunate in so timing my journey as to have been absent exactly at the moment of your visit to our neighborhood. the loss indeed was all my own; for in these short interviews with you, I generally get my political compass rectified, learn from you whereabouts we are, and correct my course...
91From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons assigned in your favor of the 7 th for preferring to retain Loudon instead of Albemarle are such as cannot be controverted. the society of our children is the sovereign balm of life, and the older we grow the more we need it, to fill up the void made by the daily losses of the companions and friends of our youth. nor ought we of this neighborhood to regret a preference so conducive...
92From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 23 June 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been lately visited by a mr Miralla, a native of Buenes Ayres, but resident in Cuba for the last 7. or 8. years, a person of intelligence, of much information, and frankly communicative. I believe indeed he is known to you. I availed myself of the opportunity of learning what was the state of public sentiment in Cuba as to their future course. he says they would be satisfied to remain...
93From James Madison to James Monroe, 2 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of June 28 covering the papers from the War office, for which I return my thanks. I observe that the letter from A. inclosing the commission of Majr. Genl. to Jackson is dated May 21. This is manifestly an error, because the letter refers to one preceding of May 24. If the error be in the copyist be so good as to obtain for me the true date. Let me have also the date of...
94From James Madison to James Monroe, 4 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
To my requests the day before yesterday I forgot to add that of a Copy of As letter to Harrison acknowledging the receipt of his Resignation; the date only being formerly asked for & sent in your last. Yours RC ( DLC : Monroe Papers); draft ( DLC ). RC docketed by Monroe. Minor differences between the copies have not been noted.
95From James Madison to James Monroe, 6 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ sorry to trouble you so often I must ask the further favor of you to let me have from the War Dept. a copy of Genl. Harrison’s letter of Resignation. It bears date the eleventh of May 1814. Also a copy of the letter of the Secy. of war acknowledging its receipt; date May 24. Also copy of the Secy’ letter to Harrison of May 28. accepting the Resignation of Harrison. Yrs. always RC ( DLC :...
96From James Madison to James Monroe, 22 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 14th. The inclosures leave no desideratum at present observed but the date of the Commission sent to Jackson with the letter of May 28 from the S. War. The date of the Comn. to Jackson inclosed by you, refers to the appt. after ratification by the Senate. May I avail of your kindness to forward the date of the first Comn. from the Authy. of the Presidt. alone. A...
97From James Madison to James Monroe, 29 July 1823 (Madison Papers)
I am giving you more trouble & of a more disagreeable sort than I could wish: but an enquiry into the case of General Jackson’s appointment in May 1814 involves circumstances not to be fully elucidated without a resort which you have kindly permitted. On the 14th. of May 1814. The Secy. of War proposed to me, then here, to make Jackson a Brigadier with a brevet commission of Majr. General till...
98From Thomas J. O’Flaherty to James Monroe, 3 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The Institutions which flourish under the arch of our Constitution strike the scholar with fond surprise. The liberal management held out to Literature shews its importance, and how keenly it is relished by American Freemen. In this State we see an Edifice, which when in operation, will scatter the salutary light of mind throughout “the Old Dominion,” and enable the rising sons of Virginia to...
99From John Roane to James Monroe, 8 August 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
With M r Tho s J. OFlaherty, who, will forward this introductory note, accompanying his own application to be considered a candidate for the office of professor of languages in the central College of V a I have been several years acquainted—His exhibits will afford, the best testimony of his qualification, & sure I am, all who have witnessed his mode of instruction, will admit his competency...
100From James Madison to James Monroe, 13 August 1823 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the inclosing papers from the war office. The path I am endeavouring to trace is so dark & tortuous and the official lights left by the Ex-functionary behind him so scanty, that I find it difficult to do justice to the subject. It may be of some use perhaps to understand precisely in what cases usage may have sanctioned “letters of appointment,” instead of regular...